NPS issues bear safety advisory

The National Park Service on May 15 told visitors to take extra precautions in bear country after recent bear incidents in several national parks, according to an agency news release. The agency said spring and early summer bring increased bear activity as animals move through habitat, search for food and protect cubs. The advisory comes as parks prepare for heavier travel around Memorial Day, which falls on May 25 this year and is one of the National Park Service’s fee-free days for U.S. residents. ### Why did the Park Service issue the warning now? The May 15 release said the warning followed recent bear incidents in several national parks. The agency did not list every incident in the national advisory, but park-specific notices in recent weeks have pointed to active bear management and closures in places including Yellowstone and Great Smoky Mountains. Yellowstone National Park said on May 5 that two hikers were injured by one or more bears on the Mystic Falls Trail near Old Faithful on May 4. (nps.gov) Great Smoky Mountains National Park said on April 20 that rangers responded to three bear-related incidents at Ramsey Cascades Trail, including two encounters in which a bear took backpacks and a third in which a bear briefly chased a group. ### What does NPS want hikers and campers to do? The National Park Service said visitors can lower the chance of a dangerous encounter by staying alert, hiking in groups, making noise in low-visibility areas, storing food and trash properly and never approaching bears. The agency also said visitors should avoid headphones on trails and report bear encounters to park staff as soon as it is safe to do so. (nps.gov) Jessica Bowron, comptroller exercising the delegated authority of the director, said in the release that “wildlife safety is visitor safety.” Bowron said simple steps such as giving bears space, securing food and knowing what to do before entering bear country can protect both visitors and bears. ### What should visitors do if they actually see a bear? NPS guidance says people who encounter a bear should stay calm, speak in a steady voice, back away slowly and avoid sudden movements. (nps.gov) The agency says visitors should never run from a bear. The Park Service’s broader bear-safety guidance says most bears will avoid humans if they hear them coming, but behavior can be unpredictable and no single strategy guarantees safety. (nps.gov) The same guidance says visitors should identify themselves by talking calmly and remember that a standing bear is usually curious rather than threatening. ### Why does the advice vary from park to park? (nps.gov) The agency said bear species, terrain, food-storage rules and recommendations on carrying bear spray differ across the National Park Service. That is why the May 15 advisory told travelers to check current park alerts before a trip and follow park-specific guidance. NPS bear-safety pages say recommendations vary by park because local bear behavior differs. (nps.gov) Hiking guidance also tells visitors to check whether a park has bear-management closures and what kinds of bears live there before heading onto trails. ### What does this mean for Memorial Day travelers? Memorial Day falls on May 25 in 2026, and the National Park Service has designated it as a fee-free entrance day for U.S. residents at sites that charge admission, though other fees can still apply. (nps.gov) The Park Service has also said it is using park-specific access plans this summer at high-visitation parks including Arches, Glacier, Rocky and Yosemite. (nps.gov) Before arriving, travelers can check individual park websites for bear guidance, closures and current alerts. The National Park Service said those park-specific pages will carry the latest information on local bear conditions, food-storage rules and any restrictions in place ahead of the May 25 holiday. (nps.gov 1) (nps.gov 2)